Game table with rapid return system

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a beer pong table in which the cups are attached to a scoring mechanism. The scoring mechanism consists of two sets of three cups that are attached to three individual ramps that transport the ball into three individual tubes which holds three balls each. Once a tube has accumulated three balls, it will reject a fourth ball and lets it fall back to the collection point behind it as if it were a missed shot. The collection point organizes the balls into a straight line to be delivered into the air powered ball return tube. The ball return tube constantly delivers missed shots back to the ball tray which can hold around 30 to 40 balls. This ball tray is positioned in front of the players. A backboard surrounds the back and sides of the cups to stop the missed shots from landing on the floor.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/362467, filed Jul. 8, 2010, which is herein incorporated in itsentirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to game tables. More specifically, the inventionrelates to a game table for a drinking game that allows the user to playalone or against an opponent.

BACKGROUND

Beer pong is a drinking game in which players throw a ping-pong ballacross a table with the intent of landing the ball in a cup ofbeer/water on the other end. The game typically consists of multiplecups set up on each side set up in triangle formation. There are noofficial rules, so rules may vary widely, though usually there are sixor ten plastic cups arranged in a triangle on each side.

Beer pong is usually played with two teams of two players each, thoughit can be played with two teams of one person each, or other numbers ofplayers. Each team begins the game standing at either end of the tablebehind their rack of cups. The order of play varies: both players on oneteam shoot followed by both players on the opposing team, or players onopposite teams may alternate back and forth. When a ping pong ball issuccessfully tossed into an opponent's cup, the opponent must drink thebeer from the made cup and remove that cup from the table. That cup hasnow been eliminated from the game. For non-drinkers, the game may beplayed without beer. Instead, water or soda may be used.

Although the game is typically played on either a ping pong table or afolding banquet table, enthusiasts may create a personalized table foruse by friends and visitors. In general, this will be a plywood boardcut to proper size, sometimes painted with sports, school, or fraternitysymbols and given a liquid-proof coating. Some companies sell tables,and there are companies making portable or inflatable tables. The gamecan be played on any flat surface, such as a door or dining table.

The most common cups used are 16 ounce disposable plastic cups withridge-lines which can be used precisely to measure the amount of beer tobe poured into the cup. On each side of the table, teams assembleequilateral triangles, with a convergence point focusing on the otherteam. Games typically use six or ten cups. Each team usually has aseparate cup of water, which is used to rinse off the ball. Aftershooting, teams may dunk the ping pong balls into cups of water in orderto wash off the balls.

38 mm or 40 mm table tennis (ping pong) balls are typically used forgame play.

There are very few universal or “official” rules. Typically, playersabide by a uniform set of “house rules”, which are often consistentwithin one university or region of the country (e.g., “Ivy League rules”or “West Coast rules”), or may vary on a “house-by-house” basis. Thenumber of cups, bouncing, amount of alcohol, the distance shots must betaken from may all vary.

There are three key ways to shoot in beer pong: the arc, the fastball(or “laser”), and the bounce shot. The most common throwing technique isthe “arc” shot, where one grasps the ping pong ball with the tips of thethumb and forefinger, holds the arm at an angle with the ball upwards,then throw by using gentle elbow motion, holding the upper arm parallelwith the table.

Some players throw “fastball” style, which uses more of a hard choppingmotion to send the ball in a more direct line to the intended targetcup. Also, a fastball shot may be favorable if house rules dictate a cupthat is knocked over is taken off the table, in which case a fastballcan eliminate multiple cups if thrown hard enough.

A “bounce” shot is performed by bouncing the ball toward the cups. Since(depending on house rules) the other team may have the opportunity toswat away a bounced ball, a bounce may be worth more than one cup. Insome rule sets, bouncing is not allowed; in others, it is required.

If the opposing team makes the last cup, the other team loses unlessthey can make either all remaining cups or simply one cup. This iscalled a rebuttal or redemption. In some rule sets, if the opposing teamhits the last cup with both of their balls, no redemption is given tothe losing team.

A disadvantage of current beer pong tables is that they do not permit auser to play or practice alone in order to improve their throwing skillsThe tables are flat surfaces that hold the cups and are open on the endsand sides. Thus, the user winds up chasing and picking up the balls.Alternatively, the balls are stored in the cups when not in play.

Another disadvantage is that players may become annoyed while waitingfor a distracted player to take their turn.

Other disadvantages of current beer pong tables include having to dealwith cleaning up spilled liquids, organizing loose cups, and washing theping pong balls.

SUMMARY

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providinga game table in which the cups are attached to a scoring mechanism. Thecups are positioned within a platform. The scoring mechanism consists oftwo sets of three cups that are attached to three individual ramps thattransport the ball into three individual tubes which visibly holds threeballs each. Once a tube has accumulated three balls, it will reject afourth ball and lets it fall back to the collection point behind it asif it were a missed shot. The collection point organizes the balls intoa straight line so that they can be delivered into the air poweredreturn tube. The ball return tube constantly delivers missed shots backto the ball tray which can hold around 30 to 40 balls. The ball tray ispositioned right in front of the players. A backboard surrounds the backand sides of the cups to stop the missed shots from landing on thefloor.

In an alternative embodiment, the collection point contains an apertureto allow the used balls to fall through into a receptacle positionedunderneath the aperture.

In another alternative embodiment, the cup platform is adapted to holdten cups and the ramps and scoring tubes are not present.

It is a goal of the present invention to provide a table that is lowmaintenance such that the user does not have to pick up balls from thefloor, clean up any spilled liquid, wash the balls, and/or organizeloose cups.

It is another goal of the present invention to provide a table in whichno liquid in the cups is required.

It is yet another goal of the present invention to provide a table thatallows the user to practice beer pong alone in order to improve theirthrowing skills in as little as 10 to 15 minutes of continuous play.

It a further goal of the present invention to provide a table in whichthe users are not required to take turns, thus reducing playerdistraction.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and,in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings,specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that thelanguage used in the specification has been principally selected forreadability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope ofthe inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention description below refers to the accompanying drawings, ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the scoring mechanism of thepresent invention, shown in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the scoring mechanism of FIG. 5,shown in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the scoring mechanism of FIG. 5,shown in a closed position;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the scoring mechanism of FIG. 5,shown in an open position;

FIG. 9 is an exploded rear view of the scoring mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of the scoring mechanism ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a further alternative embodimentof the present invention

FIG. 13 is a close up front perspective view of the cup platform of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is side view of the ball tray of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the ball tray of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the ball tray ofthe present invention;

FIG. 17 is a close up front perspective view of the cup holder of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 18 is a close up top perspective view of the cup holder of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings in general and to FIGS. 1 to 18 in particular,there is provided a game table 100. Game table 100 has severalcomponents including, but not limited to, a ball tray 10, a ball returntube 20, and a playing surface 30 having a scoring mechanism 40. In oneembodiment, game table 100, with all of its components, is approximately8 feet 4 inches in length.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, playing surface 30 isapproximately 3 feet 2 inches in width at the front edge, 3 feet inlength, and 3 feet 8 inches in height. Playing surface 30 has a bottomportion 32 that is an inverted pyramid in shape. Bottom portion 32 ofplaying surface 30 is attached to a stand 50 for stability. A backboard60 is positioned at the rear of playing surface 30 to stop the missedshots from landing on the floor. In one embodiment, backboard 60 is 2feet in width. The side walls 70 of playing surface 30 may be made ofnetting. The netting is positioned such that it increases visibility ofthe play action. The walls of bottom portion 32 are slanted tofacilitate collection of missed shots at a collection point 34.Backboard 60 of playing surface 30 is adapted to receive scoringmechanism 40.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, scoring mechanism 40 consistsof two sets of three cups 42, a series of ramps 44, and a series ofscoring tubes 46. One example of the type of cups 42 that may be used isplastic cups. Cups 42 are positioned in a triangular formation in a cupplatform 48. Cup platform 48 may be made of plastic. Each cup 42 in cupplatform 48 is attached to an individual ramp 44 that transports a ball80 into an individual scoring tube 46. Cup platform 48 may be attachedto ramps 44 via a sliding clip arrangement. The slope of ramps 44 is atan angle sufficient enough to insure that balls 80 keep moving even ifplaying surface 30 is not completely level. Ramps 44 and scoring tubes46 may be made of plastic. Each scoring tube 46 holds three balls 80.Once scoring tube 46 has accumulated three balls, it will reject afourth ball and lets that ball fall back to collection point 34 behindscoring tube 46 as if it were a missed shot. Scoring tubes 46 areattached to each other. Balls 80 in scoring tubes 46 are released whenthe cover 45 of tubes 46 is swung forward from the bottom such that theyroll back to collection point 34. Collection point 34 organizes balls 80into a straight line so that they may be delivered into ball return tube20.

Ball return tube 20 is powered by a fan (not shown), which blows airbehind the balls to send them up the tube. In one embodiment, the fanand ball return tube 20 are made of plastic. Ball return tube 20constantly delivers the missed shots back to ball tray 10, which mayhold approximately 30 to 40 balls.

In an alternative embodiment of the game table of the present invention,shown in FIG. 11 as 100′, bottom portion 32 of playing surface 30contains an aperture (not shown) in collection point 34 to allow theused balls 80 to fall through into a receptacle 90 positioned underneaththe aperture.

In another alternative embodiment of the game table of the presentinvention, shown in FIGS. 12-13 as 100″, cup platform 48′ is adapted tohold ten cups 42 and the ramps and scoring tubes are not present. Inthis embodiment, the user is able to practice their throwing skills.

Ball tray 10 is positioned right in front of the players. In oneembodiment, shown in FIGS. 14-15, ball tray 10 is approximately 1 foot 8inches in width at is base, 2 feet 6 inches in height, and 2 feet 4inches in length. Ball tray 10 may be triangular in shape. Ball tray 10is positioned upon a stand 12 for stability. Ball tray 10 has a cover 11that partially encloses the top half of the tray 10 and one end of ballreturn tube 20. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 16 ball tray10 is uncovered. A cup holder 15 is positioned at the apex of ball tray10. In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 17-18, cup holder 15 is adapted tohold two cups 42.

Playing surface 30, including backboard 60, and ball tray 10 may made ofcardboard or reinforced fabric. The type of cardboard may be paperboardand/or corrugated fiberboard. Playing surface 30 and ball tray 10 may bedecorated with artwork to enhance the enjoyment of playing the game. Forexample, such artwork may include trademarks, sports fields, sports teamlogos, college or fraternity logos, or even the name of a bar.

The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrativeembodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope if this invention. Eachof the various embodiments described above may be combined with otherdescribed embodiments in order to provide multiple features.Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separateembodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, whathas been described herein is merely illustrative of the application ofthe principles of the present invention. Accordingly, this descriptionis meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limitthe scope of this invention.

1. A game table comprising: a playing surface, the playing surfacecomprising a backboard, a pair of side walls, and a bottom surface,wherein the playing surface is disposed upon a first stand; a ball tray,the ball tray being disposed upon a second stand; a ball return tube;the ball return tube being positioned between the playing surface andthe ball tray.
 2. The game table of claim 1 wherein the pair of sidewalls are made of netting.
 3. The game table of claim 1 furthercomprising a cup assembly, wherein the cup assembly is attached to thebackboard, and wherein the cup assembly houses a plurality of cups. 4.The game table of claim 1 further comprising a scoring mechanism,wherein the scoring mechanism comprises a plurality of ramps and aplurality of scoring tubes, wherein each ramp is connected at a firstend to one of the plurality of cups and at a second end to one of thescoring tubes.
 5. The game table of claim 4 wherein the plurality ofscoring tubes further comprises a first cover, the first cover beinghingedly attached to the scoring tubes.
 6. The game table of claim 4wherein each of the scoring tubes is adapted to house at most threeballs.
 7. The game table of claim 1 wherein a collection point on thebottom surface receives a plurality of balls other than the balls housedin the scoring tube.
 8. The game table of claim 7 wherein the collectionpoint delivers the plurality of balls to the ball return tube.
 9. Thegame table of claim 1 further comprising a fan; the fan being attachedto the ball return tube, wherein the fan circulates air within the ballreturn tube to direct the plurality of balls to the ball tray.
 10. Thegame table of claim 1 wherein the ball tray further comprises a cover.11. The game table of claim 1 further comprising a cup holder, the cupholder being attached to the ball tray.
 12. A game table comprising: aplaying surface, the playing surface comprising a backboard, a pair ofside walls, and a bottom surface, wherein the playing surface isdisposed upon a first stand; and a ball tray, the ball tray beingdisposed upon a second stand.
 13. The game table of claim 12 wherein thepair of side walls are made of netting.
 14. The game table of claim 12further comprising a cup assembly, wherein the cup assembly is attachedto the backboard, and wherein the cup assembly houses a plurality ofcups.
 15. The game table of claim 12 wherein a collection point on thebottom surface receives a plurality of balls, the collection pointhaving an aperture, wherein the aperture is configured such that theplurality of balls pass through into a receptacle positioned underneaththe aperture.